AUBURN, Ala. - Niclas Carlsson shot a 2-under 70 and is one stroke off the lead as Auburn golf competed in the first round of the NCAA Auburn Regional at the Auburn University Club. Auburn as a team stands in third place, one stroke behind second-place Texas, with one round completed and two more to play.

"We played well until the last three holes," Auburn head coach Nick Clinard said. "I'm a little disappointed in how we finished. We dropped five shots on seven, eight and nine after starting on 10. We just didn't get it done in the end. We have to play better."

Carlsson, who started on the 10th tee, shot a 2-under on his first nine holes, carding three birdies. He then shot even-par on the front nine. He goes into Friday's second round tied with Colorado's Yannik Paul for second behind Robin Sciot-Siegrist of Louisville, who is 3-under.

"I thought I played pretty solid overall," Carlsson said. "The greens are great out there. I have to know when to go for the pin and where you have to hit it in the middle of the greens."

"Niclas is rock solid, he has a great swing and he's a big-time player and a great ball striker," Clinard said. "He deserves all the success based on how hard he's worked mentally and physically."

Will Long is tied for 20th at 2-over, 74, shooting even-par on the back nine and plus-2 on the front nine.

Matt Gilchrest and Jake Mondy are both tied for 28th with a plus-3, 75. Daniel Stringfellow is tied for 63rd at plus-9.

Alabama leads the overall team competition at 1-under. After Texas (plus-5) and Auburn (plus-6) is Colorodo (plus-8) in fourth and Kennesaw State and Louisville field for fifth at plus-9.

The top five teams and the highest-scoring individual not on a team advance to the NCAA Championships.

Friday's second round begins at 8 a.m. CT. Auburn will tee off beginning on the first tee at 9:10 a.m. along with Alabama and Texas.